What the Steelers will do: The passing game has come to life the past two games and there will be no reason to back off against the Raiders. Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch have combined to complete 41 of 55 passes for 677 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions. The benefactor has been Hines Ward, who has 13 catches for 230 yards and four touchdowns in those games. Defensively, the Steelers will concentrate on taking the deep pass away from WR Randy Moss and use a lot of blitzes to come after QB Andrew Walter, who has been sacked 22 times.

What the Raiders will do: Despite what happened in the fourth quarter and OT in Atlanta, the Steelers do a good job of shutting down the run, especially against a back such as Lamont Jordan. But the Raiders will also use Justin Fargas, ReShard Lee and Zack Crockett to run at them. Because the Steelers give up the medium pass to defend the big play, Walter will try to throw underneath to Alvis Whitted and Ronald Curry. Defensively, the Raiders rank No. 1 in the NFL against the pass (140.5 ypg), but a lot of that is because opponents get the lead and have success running against them.

Keep an eye on ...

DE Derrick Burgess: The Raiders will try to get Burgess, who led the NFL with 16 sacks last season, to disrupt Roethlisberger. Burgess had two sacks, two hurries and a batted pass last week against Arizona. Of course, he was also playing against Oliver Ross. RT Max Starks might need to get some help from a tight end or running back in pass situations.

Data

Game: Steelers (2-4) at Oakland Raiders (1-5).

When: 4:15 p.m.

Where: McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.

TV: KDKA.

Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970).

Intangibles

The Steelers haven't played in Oakland since 1995 and are 2-0 vs. the Raiders since Bill Cowher became coach. They cannot afford another loss, especially against a 1-5 team, with Denver and New Orleans looming. The Raiders will merely be seeking to build momentum after getting their first victory of the season.

Keys to victory

To win, the Raiders must ...

1. Keep Hines 57 from expanding. Ward has four TDs the past two games and goes against a secondary that no longer includes Charles Woodson.

2. Make Moss the Boss. He looked like his old self against the Cardinals, especially when he outleaped defenders for a 32-yard touchdown.

3. Win the takeaway battle. The Raiders lead the NFL with 20 turnovers, but the Steelers aren't far behind with 14, 11 in the second half.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1. Keep Ben on the mend. Especially the way he has been throwing the past two weeks, completing 32 of 41 for 476 yards, five TDs and no picks.

2. Make a Sapp out of Warren. The Steelers should be able to run at DT Warren Sapp, part of a defense that allows an average of 132.5 ypg rushing.

3. Not let Randy be dandy. The top priority will be making sure Moss does not get behind the corners for big plays, especially in blitz situations.